A Delray Beach man who nearly drowned in a swimming accident has a new lease on life thanks to stem cell therapy.

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David Aldrich depends on a wheelchair and his speech is slurred. Aldrich suffered serious injuries after a swimming accident in 2002.

Aldrich said he dove off the back of a boat that was anchored in shallow water and hit his head. When he wasn't pulled out soon enough, Aldrich stopped breathing and nearly drowned.

Doctors placed Aldrich in a medically-induced coma.

"They didn't expect me to live a week," Aldrich said.

When he woke up months later, Aldrich was on a ventilator, paralyzed from the chest down. He was also 100 percent blind.

Local doctors recommended that he fly to China for stem cell therapies, which are illegal in the U.S.

The stem cell therapies included the implantation of cells which were harvested from a placenta after the birth of a baby.

"While I was there, the third week, things started to come more into view," Aldrich said. "I started being able to read things."

Aldrich said his breathing, speech and limb control all improved. National Geographic also followed his progress in a documentary called "Supercell." Aldrich encouraged the use of stem cell therapies in the country.

"There are so many people who suffer with diseases and spinal cord injuries that could be helped with stem cells," he said.

Aldrich has made two trips to China, and he said his vision is even better. In addition, he can now lean forward, whereas before the therapy he could only shrug his shoulders. He can also move his arms and legs and wiggle his toes. He said he can enjoy many activities that he used to take for granted.

"Being able to take my dog out for a walk everyday is the best part of my life," he said.

Although water once almost killed him, it has now become a part of his treatment regimen. Aldrich participates in aqua therapy and walks the length of a swimming pool regularly. He said his therapy in China has helped him enjoy his present and makes him optimistic about the future.

"Just the independence, the quality of life and the hope that there is a cure out there," Aldrich said when asked what he looks forward to the most.